Leadership
Experience You Can Trust
Aspire was built around the core philosophies of quality over quantity, safety and soundness first. This foundation gives credit unions and other lenders confidence that every loan Aspire brings forward has been structured, underwritten, and documented with a conservative, exam-friendly mindset.
When you work with Aspire, you are working directly with seasoned CRE credit executives who understand both the opportunity and the risk—and are committed to helping your institution expand business services, diversify its balance sheet, and generate sustainable, low-risk income.
Eric Vessele, President & CEO, Board Secretary
Eric's career spans banks, credit unions, and national finance companies, giving him a 360-degree view of what it takes to build safe, profitable, exam-ready commercial real estate (CRE) portfolios.
Over 36 years, Eric has led teams across every stage of the CRE lifecycle:
- Loan Origination
- Structuring and Underwriting
- Closing and Servicing
- Annual Reviews
- Workouts
- Foreclosures
- REO Dispositions
He has managed hundreds of millions in performing and non-performing assets, overseen multi-billion-dollar closing pipelines, and consistently delivered strong credit performance through multiple economic cycles.
Before founding Aspire, Eric co-founded Apex Capital Solutions, a full-service commercial real estate firm that partners with credit unions and banks from origination through servicing and workouts, often acting as a de facto commercial lending department.
Kamil Sakici, Board Chair
Kamil Sakici is the President and CEO of Mission City Federal Credit Union in Santa Clara, CA. He has been a well-known credit union executive for over 25 years, previously serving in various roles as Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Financial Officer with several credit unions across the U.S.
Kamil has deep community roots and has served as board member, leader, and volunteer with numerous organizations including Santa Clara City Library Foundation, Highwood Public Library, Bernie’s Book Bank, Feed My Starving Children, Boy Scouts, and Willow House.
Maria Michalak, Esq., Board Vice-Chair
Maria Michalak brings over 20 years of specialized legal, lending, and operations experience to Aspire Lending Solutions.
Her experience includes all aspects of commercial lending, including loan originations, loan structuring, underwriting, loan documentation, closing, servicing, portfolio management and legal services in partnership with financial institutions nationwide. She co-founded Apex Capital Solutions, LLC, and served as COO & General Counsel.
Let Aspire's Expertise Work For You
Aspire provides seamless integration with your existing member and business lending services and helps your credit union originate Commercial Real Estate loans with less overhead, generating sustainable, low-risk income.